Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is part of the great Ituri Forest of the Congo Basin and as such contains several features similar to those found in Central Africa. Uganda safaris to Semuliki therefore provides visitors an opportunity to taste the diversity of the Congo region without even leaving Uganda! The Semuliki national park spans across the Semuliki Valley on the western parts of the Rwenzori Mountains. Along the border between Uganda and Congo is the Semuliki River which is a small version of the Congo River. The local population living around includes a Batwa Pygmy community, which originated from the Ituri Forest.

The Semuliki national park also has the most unique and iconic hot springs in east Africa. The Semuliki national park has its fair share of wildlife, which include many large mammals such as the savannah elephants, the buffalos, waterbucks, crocodiles, warthogs and Uganda kobs. One can aslo spot pygmy hippopotamuses, the leopards and the bushbabies. The Semuliki national park is also a birders haven with lots of Birds such as the White-crested hornbill, Piping Hornbill, red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Yellow-throated Nicator, Great Blue and Ross’s Turacos. It can therefore arguably agreed that a Uganda tour is not complete without a visit to Semuliki national park.

Tour Activities at Semuliki National Park

Game Drives: The Semuliki has 3 tracks across the savannah grasslands of Toro. In these tracks both large mammals and smaller forest species are sighted all over the park. While on game drives it’s inevitable for one to see the elephants, waterbucks, buffaloes, crocodiles and warthogs and thus making it an exciting experience.

Uganda Birding Safaris: A large numbers of a great many African bird species can be abundantly found in Semuliki national park. Sempaya and Ntandi provide excellent viewing of the birds. The shoebill stork is one of the popular birds that can be seen at the park.

Hiking and Nature Walks: The Kirumula Trail spans over a distance of 13 square kilometers long and takes about 8 hours to move along. This trail is much coveted by birders because of the many unique birds that are found in this area.

Hot Springs: To see the hot springs, there are 2 trails you can follow, one leading to the “male” spring and the other to the “female” spring.

The trail to the “male” spring leads through a patch of forest where you can see various primates in abundance including the grey-cheeked mangabey ,red-tailed monkeys and bland and white colobus monkeys are all readily available for sightings. While on your way there is a tree house for a bird’s eye view of the various forest animals.

The other trail on the other hand leading to the “female” spring is a 30 minute walk through the palm forest. Here one encounters a boiling geyser. Many hungry hikers cook eggs and matoke in these hot springs.

Cultural Encounters and Trails: On cultural trails, one gets to interact with the local Batwa who live a lifestyle of hunting and gathering.